Camino Primitivo: Stage 2

Discovering the authentic towns and villages that form the backbone of the route.

Completing a unique and rewarding journey and gaining your Compostela in Santiago.

Enjoying the fine flavours of the regional food and drink.

The Camino Primitivo, the original pilgrims' trail to Santiago is a quieter and more challenging alternative to the Camino Frances. Arguably one of the most rewarding routes, it’s distinct yet unique characteristics paint a perfect picture of authentic Spanish culture providing individuals a true pilgrimage experience.
This section covers the last 100km of the route which is the minimum required to get your Compostela certificate in Santiago. Starting in Lugo, a walled city dating back to Roman times, this section of the walk joins the Camino Frances in the lively market town of Melide. Walking through a mixture of roman paved roads, ancient forests and rural Galicia until you reach your final destination, Santiago de Compostela.

What To Expect

The Camino Primitivo is perfect for those wishing a more challenging alternative to the popular Camino Frances. A journey through quiet unspoilt landscapes and charming medieval villages providing a truly authentic Spanish experience.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active holiday.

Activity:

Pilgrim Trail | You will follow a historic pilgrimage trail, in the footsteps of generations of travellers

This trip is suitable for:

Multi-Generational

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Spiritual Journeys

Personal Growth

Historical Journeys

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate to Strenuous and includes daily walks of 15-31km. On the Camino, you will follow a mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths.

Navigation

The route is marked with yellow painted arrows but please take care at intersections. There will always be other walkers around in case you are looking for help. A detailed information pack including route notes, local information and maps will be waiting for you at your first accommodation.

Accommodation Information

The accommodation is a mixture of small family-run hotels, pensions and larger hotels in the big cities. All with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms and all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We do recommend that you book this trip early as the area is always popular and the hotels and inns do fill up early.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

The Camino is available to solo walkers at a supplement. Single rooms are available although a single supplement is payable.

Meals

A local breakfast is included each morning which usually consists of a coffee and bread with jams. Lunch and dinner are not included as standard so you are free to choose from the available options.

Additional Nights

There is so much to see and do along the route that many of our clients choose to add extra nights along the walk either as a rest day or simply to do some extra sightseeing. If you are walking the whole route solo try not to add too many extra nights along the way as you will lose touch with those you have met. We would definitely recommend an extra night or 2 in Santiago to attend Pilgrims Mass and walk about this beautiful city.

Fewer Nights

It is possible to walk the Camino in less time but we would not recommend this.

Included

Accommodation in small rural hotels and guest houses with en-suite W/C.

Daily Breakfast

Baggage Transfers

A detailed information pack for the group leader including route notes, maps, and local information.

Camino guide book.

Emergency support from our local and UK offices in the event of a problem.

Excluded

Return travel to Spain.

Lunches, dinners (optional), snacks or drinks.

Travel Insurance.

Personal Equipment.

Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage.

Extras

Additional nights accommodation along the way.

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day from the beginning of March to the end of October. Option & extension prices will be displayed as part of the booking process.

Time of Year

The Camino Primitivo is best enjoyed from March to October. The weather in Northern Spain is very varied, during the winter months (Nov – Feb) some sections of the Camino can be covered in Snow and the path might be harder to follow, we usually recommend walking between March and October the best walking season. July and August can be extremely busy on the Camino and very hot so we tend to tell people to avoid these months.

The North of Spain is the wettest part of the country, so you can expect rain at any point, though during the summer months it doesn’t tend to hang around for too long. However, we recommend always carrying a light waterproof, just to be on the safe side.

Getting to the Start

Santiago de Compostela Airport is situated 134Km outside of Lugo. There is a bus connection to the city centre, operated byFreire S.L,the journey time is one hour 30 minutes and a ticket costs €15.00.

Santiago de Compostela is the nearest airport to Lugo and is easily reached from the UK by Ryanair who operate a regular direct service. If you are coming from Europe then please look at theSantiago Airportwebsite and check what airlines suit you best.

If you are coming from overseas you have a few options here. You can fly into London and catch a Ryanair flight to Santiago but remember they don’t have much weight allowance. Alternatively, you can fly into Madrid and catch an internal flight or a train from here will take approx 7-8 hrs. You can catch internal flights with either Ryanair or Vueling airlines to the main hubs of Madrid and Barcelona if you are flying here from overseas.

Getting from the End

From Santiago City Centre to the Airport

From Santiago, you can arrange a private transfer through Macs Adventure, to ensure a smooth end to your Camino. Alternatively, a bus runs between the airport and Plaza de Galicia in Santiago, stopping at different points in the city (Pazo de Congresos, Capilla San Lázaro, the bus station, the railway station, Rúa da Rosa, and others). From the airport, the bus departs from 00:00 to 23:30, every half hour (duration 20 mins). Please see theSantiago Airport websitefor current timetables.

From Santiago to Madrid by train

If you would prefer to travel by rail, you can take a train (fast trains are available, 6h30 duration approx.) from Santiago to Madrid withRENFE.

By Bus within Spain

There are good bus connections from Santiago to other cities within Spain – seehttp://www.alsa.esfor bus schedules.

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included (max 20kg per person). Your main bag will be transferred each day between your overnight accommodation so that you only need to walk with a day pack.

General Information

Pilgrim's Passport

The Pilgrim's Passport is available in any church/pilgrim office on the route and these are clearly marked in your guidebook. You need to get the passport stamped in churches, restaurants and hotels along the way. At the end of the walk, in Santiago, you can obtain your Compostela Certificate (only if you have walked the last 100km). For the other sections of the trail, the passport is used as a souvenir with all the colourful stamps you will receive. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Restoratiom.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Restoration

Please Note - Due to restoration works on the interior of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the Pilgrim Mass has been moved to an alternate location until further notice. Unfortunately, during the restoration of the Cathedral the Botafumeiro will not take place.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How fit do I need to be?

The average daily distance of our Camino tours are between 20 and 25 kilometers and you can expect to walk for between five and eight hours each day. You should do as much walking as possible prior to your walk as this will simply add to your enjoyment. That said if you are not at peak fitness you will find you will soon walk yourself fit.

What type of trails does the Camino follow?

A mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. The route is marked with yellow painted arrows but please take care at intersections. There will always be other walkers around incase you are looking for help.

How far in advance do I need to book?

We suggest you book as far in advance as possible as the Camino is extremely popular. Numbers can rise by up to 100, 000 people. We will always try and accommodate late bookings but realistically you need to book at least 6 weeks prior to departure.

Can I walk with my bags?

Yes, some people prefer to walk carrying their own bags as a true pilgrim would have. You can select the option for removing the baggage transfers in Step 2 of the Booking Engine.

When is the best time of year?

I would recommend April/May when the spring flowers are at there best and September/October when the colours are just lovely. June, July and August can be very hot if you are not used to walking in the heat while the temperatures can fall sharply in the winter with some accommodation closing down for the end of season.

What happens if I can’t walk a stage?

Public transport and taxis are available, if you are need of support our local partner in Spain will be more that happy to help.

Can I change my itinerary once I start walking?

Unfortunately we are unable to change your accommodation bookings and itinerary once you start walking as alternative accommodation is generally not available at such short notice.

Itinerary

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Pazo de Orban

The 18th century Pazo de Orbán sits in a fabulous location right next to the famous Roman wall of Lugo. Featuring elegant rooms with wooden floors and traditional décor, as well as a charming terrace and tavern, this lovely boutique hotel is a real hidden gem!

Hotel Apartamentos Ciudad de Lugo

The delightful hotel is situated just outside the ancient Roman walls of the old city and the Camino Primitivo passes right by the front door.

Hotel Mendez Nunez

Since its birth (1861) several alterations in structure and design have been made, the most recent in 2010 but it still retains many original features. It offers every comfort with its modern and functional facilities.

Leaving Melide behind today’s walk takes you to the “cheese town” of Arzúa. The majority of walking is gentle ascents and descents with the exception of the steep incline into Arzua from Ribadiso. Relax on the river banks before ascending to Arzúa.

Overnight Arzua

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Leaving the old quarter of Arzua the Camino leads past sturdy oak trees, which give way to lush meadows. Visit the medieval shrine at Santa Irene, dedicated to a martyr saint from Portugal and the Baroque fountain of healing waters.

Overnight A Rúa

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Casa Do Acivro

This property offers comfortable cottages with 3 double bedrooms and 1 single, all with private bathroom and TV, living room with gallery. There are also 3 tourist apartments for 2-4 persons, each consisting of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room with fireplace and terrace. Dining is available. It has swimming pool and garden to relax into the summer.

Hotel O Pino

The rural and rustic hotel provides 15 comfortable, well-tended and handsome decorated rooms each with its own indoor furnishing and special ambience. The Hotel offers its pilgrims a pleasant nights stay before the final section of their walk to Santiago de Compostela.

Today you can look forward to a fabulous day walking to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Tall eucalyptus trees sway in the wind as you make your way to the ‘Mount of Joy’ of Monte del Gozo (368m). From here, catch sight of your goal—the impressive spires of Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral.

Overnight Santiago

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel A Tafona

Only 25m from the traditional market, this house retains its natural charm of stone, wood and light, combined with modern materials. There is an elevator, WIFI throughout the hotel, LCD TV, room service, hair dryer, reading room and lounge.

Hotel Alda Algalia

The MV Algalia Hotel is one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Santiago de Compostela. It encompasses great comfort and accommodation within a unique setting in this historic area. Rooms are fully equipped with the latest technology and comforts to appeal to walkers just completing the Camino.

Hotel Monumento San Fransisco

The Hotel provides clean and comfortable rooms, a wonderful end to your Camino!

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